Mechanical pencil



Jan. 9, 1940. D. KAHN MECHANICAL PENCIL Tiledv Aug. 2o, 1935 Patented Jan. 9, 11940 "PATENT oFFICE Davia Kahn, North Bergen, N. J., (assigner-to David Kahn,`. Inc., NorthY Bergen Township,

N. J., a corporation ofNew Jersey .Application August 2o, 1935, serial 37,089

v15 Claims- (C lv. 1Z0-18) This invention relates to mechanical pencils of the type wherein'a movable lead is employed, the lead being held by a carrier movable toward and from the tip of the pencil byi therotation of a spiral member. -i

4 In pencils of this character, it is quitecommon to construct the exterior ofthe barrel of Celluloid, a phenol condensation product orother moldable material. .For-various reasons, especially vin pencilsin"which" the barrel is used for storage of spare leads around the working parts,

it is advisable andfeven necessary that the outer shell of the barrel be quite'thin.'ifWith such thin outer shells, unless they are reinforced, breakage is apt to occur. Furthermore, it 'is difcult with thin outer shells to properly attach the usual metallic point directly .to the lower end ofthe thin shell.

Furthermore, the barrel of such pencils are commonly made ofplastic .material such as Celluloid, pyroxylin, or celluloseacetate,and such Y material hasa tendency to warp. By the use of the reinforcing shell, this tendency to -warpage is eliminated.

One. important object 'of` the invention is to provide a .novel barrel arrangement wherein-at least the lower portionof the barrel isprovided with a metallic inner shell forming a reinforcement for a thin outer iinishing shell, which will .30 DI'eVent cracking yand warping of` theshell. Furthermore, for certain purposes of. the invention, it is not necessary that `ther inner'fshellhave any great yextent in the outer shell, but it is important that the inner shell be provided forthe secure attachment of the runner tube. It is toy be noted that ysuch a shell may be made from a single piece of sheet metal, the material being preferably brass, or the like, which is capable of being drawn, spun .or swaged, to provide an 'extension member so ythat aslotmay be formed therein by a simple punching operation',- and'a boss `struck in by aY single stamping operation, thus making an extremely economical construction. l f y 45 second important object of the invention is to provide a novel barrel arrangement wherein the Aworking parts of the penciland also the tip are fixed to orsupportedy from the lower end of this reinforcing shell. .Y

y50 Penci1sfofthistype include avrunner tube which must be held securely against rotation in thebarrel. v f

"A third important object of the invention is to provide .a-'novel forrn'of reinforcing shell for' the 55 barrel .ofsuch.,penci1s.having means` at, itsvlower or point end-for supporting-the lower or point end of a runner tube.

A fourth important object of the invention is to provide novel means for attaching a-runner n tube immovably to such a shell. l F5 With the above and other objects inview, the invention consistsin general of certain novel detailsof construction `and combinationsl ofparts 'hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the views, and:- f

Figure V1 is a longitudinalsection taken diametrically through a pencil constructed in accord- 15 ance with .this invention;

Figure 2 is a similar section showing the lower end of the pencil to an enlarged scale and with certainvofthe working parts in somewhat dinerent positions from the showing in Fig. 1; l

Figure 3 isa section on the line 3-3 -of Fig. 2; Figurelvisa section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Figure 5 is a section on the line 5--5 of Fig. 2; J'Figure is a perspective' view of the -lower end of l the Areinforcing shell to a greatly enlarged scale; f Figure is a similar perspective view of the lower end of the runner tube as used herein;

Figure'fis .a perspective View to asomewhat smaller scale. and showing the reinforcing shell and runner tube assembled. f

In the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the drawing, the pencil is provided with a` two part body or barrel which includes a lower inner shell I0 yof suitable metal, anden this shell I0 is fitted an outer shell II of any desiredma- 35 terial. To insure this outer shell H from'movement upwardly. out of place on theshell IU, the

lower ends of these two shells are tapered as -at I2.A Abovethe shell II isan upper shell I3 which has a ferrule I4y which is screwed into the shell I3 Aand frictionally fitted into the upper end of the lower shell II so that the two sections of the barrel may be separated when desired. f

The lower end I5 of the shell I0 is abruptly 45 reduced in diameter from the body of the shell, a shoulder I6 being formed between 'the body of the shell I0 and-the lower end I5. The pencil is provided with a conical point member or tip I'I, the'outer surface ofwhich forms a continuation to the outer surface of the taper I2. This point y or tip is provided with a socket l'in its upper end .whereinv is tightlyA tted the lower end I5, the two parts being immovably connected. EX- tending downwardlfrom the socket isa bore I 9 5'5 having a reduced lower end 2li of proper size to t closely around a lead L while allowing the lead to move longitudinally therein.

The pencil'is provided with a runner tube 2l having a slot 22 extending longitudinally thereof and adjacent the lower end of this tube the edges of the slot are cut away to provide recesses 23, the bottoms of which lie in the same plane. The lower end I5 of the shell I0 isy of such diameter as to t closely on the lower end of the runner tube and the lower end I5 is deformed to prolvide an inwardly extending boss 24 which engagesr in the recesses 23 to fit closely therein and thus to prevent both rotative and longitudinal movement of the runner tube 2l relative to the inner shell I3. Fitted on this runnertube is the usual spiral actuating tube which rests at its lower end on the shoulder ISand bears at its upper. end against a collar 2S fixed on the upper end of the runner tube 2l. On the upper end of the actuating tube 25 is fitted a tubev 21 having an open'- ing 28 in its side and a lug 29 on the actuating tube engages in this opening so that, by rotating the tube 28, the actuating tube will be rotated. The upper end of the tube 21 is enlarged to form an eraser socket 39 which rotatably fits in a ferrule 3 I screwed into the upper end of the shell I3. The socket 35 extends above this ferrule and on the upwardly projecting part is frictionally fitted a cap 32 which is sunciently tight that rotation of the capl will effect rotation of the actuating tube 25.

A tubular lead carrier 33 is slidably mounted in the runnertube 2l and is provided intermediate its ends with a lug 34 which projects through the slot 22 of the runner tube and engages in the slot formed between the convolutionsnof the spiral actuating tube 25. This lead carrier is provided above the lug 32 with a slot 3 5. The internal diameter of the lead carrier is such as to tightly grip the upper end of the lead L. A lead ejector 36 is slidably mounted in the lead carrier and is provided with a stepped lug 31 which extends through the slots 35 and 22 and engages in the slot formed between adjacent convolutions of the spiral actuating tube 25. Normally, the lugs34 and 31 will vbe spaced, the lug 34 engaging in one convolution of the actuating tube slot and the lug`31 engaging in a higher convolution. The reduced end I5 of' the shell I0 vis, provided with a slot 38 which is aligned above the boss I5 and extends through the inner part of the shoulder I6. Being thus aligned above the boss. I5, the slot 38 registers with the lower end of the slot 22 of the runner tube 2l. The slot 38 is sufficiently deep to receive the lug 34 and allow it to rest below the end of the actuating tubev 25.

With this construction, rotation of the actuating tube 25 in the lead propelling Adirection will feed both the lead carrier and the lead ejector downwardly until nally the lead carrier lug passes into the slot 38 and is thus free from further action by the actuating tube. Further, rotation of the actuating tube in the same direction will cause the lead ejector to move downwardly in the lead carrier and plush the lead out of the carrier. Upon reversing the direction of rotation of the actuating tube 25, the lug 21 will move up until it engages the upper end` of the slot 35 in the lead carrier 33, whereupon the` lead carrier will also move up and its lug 34 will be moved out of the slot 38 and engaged by the actuating tube to move the lead carrier 33 and lead ejector 36 upwardly in unison.

The barrel of the pencil here shown is con- "the tube being drawn, spun or swaged to provide the extension memberl I5. It is also to be noted that the slot 38 may be formed by a simple punching operation, and that the boss 24 may "be struck-in'by a stamping operation.

"Iherehas thus been provided a simple and .efficient device of. the kind described and for the purpose specied.

It is obvious that changes may be madey in the form and construction of the invention without departing from its. material principles. Itis not, therefore, desired to connue the invention to the exact forntherein shownand described, Ybut it is desired to include all such as comewithin the scope of the appended claims.

What isclaimed is:

1. In a mechanical pencil, a barrel yincluding va shell having an abruptly reduced extension atV its lower end, a runner tubehaving a longitudinal slot and provided with oppositely disposed recesses at the edges of the slot adjacent the lower end of ,the tube, said lower iend of the tube being fitted in said extension, andan inwardly projecting boss on said extension engaging in said recesses and holding the runner tube immovably to the shell.

2. In a mechanical pencil, a barrel including a shell having an abruptly reduced extension at its lower end, a runner tube havingits lower end fitted in said extension, a lug on said extension cooperating with a slotmin Vsaid runner tube forholding the runner tube immovably in said extension, .said shell havinga shoulder between the lower end of the shell and its extension, and an actuating tube revolubly mounted on said .runner tube and bearing at its lower end .on said shoulder.

3. In a mechanical pencil, a barrel including a shell having an abruptly reduced extension at its lower end, a runner tube having a longitudinal slot and pro-vided with oppositely disposed recesses at the edges of the slot adjacent the lower end of the tube, said lower end of the tube being fitted in said extension, an inwardly projecting boss on said extension engaging in said recesses and holding the runner tube immovablyr to the shell, said shell having a shoulder between the lower end of the shell and its extension, and an actuating tube revolubly mounted on said runner tube and bearing at its lower end on said shoulder.

4. In a mechanical pencil, a. barrel including a shell having an inwardly extending shoulder at its lower end and provided with a reduced extension projecting downwardly from the shoulder, said extension having a slot in its upper part opening upwardly through the shoulder, a runner tube having a longitudinal slot, said tube having its lower end immovably fixed in said extension with the slots of thextube and extension in registry, an actuating tube revolubly mounted on said runner tube and resting at its lower '.end on the shoulder, and a tubular leadcarrier slidably mounted in the runner tube and having a vlug projecting through the Vslot `of A.the :runner `tube to provide a shoulder and a reduced tubular exl feg-186,027

feter than the. lbwerv internal diameter Y. :of f'th'e 'and engaged by' saidactuatingtube, the "slot in barrel; said tip forming 4anannular shoulder the extension being proportioned to permit said lug'to lie therein below' the lower end of the actuating tube. v L

5. In a mechanical pencil, a `barrel including a` shell having an inwardly extending shoulder at its lower'end and provided with a reduced extension projecting downwardly from the shoul- Ider, said extension having a slot in -its upper part opening upwardly through the shoulder, y

a..runne'r tube'A having a longitudinal slot, said tube having its lower end immovably xed in said extension with the slots of the tube and extension in registry, an actuating tube revolubly mounted on said runner tube and resting at its lower end on the shoulder, a tubular lead carrier slidably mounted in the runner tube and having a lug projecting through the slot of the runner tube and engaged by said actuating tube, the slot in the extension being proportioned to permit said lug to lie therein below the lower end of the actuating tube, said lead carrier having a slot therein aligned with said lug anda lead ejector slidably mounted in the lead carrier and having a lug projecting through the slots in the lead carrier and runner tube and engaged by the actuating tube in normal spaced relation above the lug ofthe lead carrier.

6. In a mechanical pencil, a barrel shell consisting of a metallic tube having one end formed tension extending integrally from the shoulder, said shell having an inwardly struck boss on the extension and having a slot above the boss and aligned therewith.

7. In a mechanical pencil, a barrel shell con-` in the runner `tube and having a lug projecting through the slot of the runner tube, a barrel including an inner metallic shell having an extension member at its lower end into which the lower end of the runner tube is fitted, said extension member being provided with a lug engaging slot adapted to receive the lug of the lead carrier, said runner tube and extension member being provided with coacting means mechanically holding the runner tube immovably in the eX- tension member. I

9. In a mechanical pencil, a barrel having a tip at its lower end provided with an axial opening extending therethrough, said opening having an enlarged cylindrical upper end of less diameter than the lower internal diameter ofv the barrel, said tipl forming an annular shoulder within the barrel, an inner shell iitting in said barrel and provided at its lower end with an abruptly reduced extension fitting in the enlarged upper end of said opening, a shoulder being formed on said shell and resting on the lfirst mentioned shoulder, and a runner tube ntting within said extension and having a slot therein opposite said extension, said extension having an internal lug engaging in said slot.

10. In a mechanical pencil, a barrel having a ti-p at its lower end provided with an axial opening extending therethrough, said opening having an enlarged cylindrical upper end of less diamwithin the barrel, an inner shell -tting infsaid .barrel and provided at its 'lower end with an 'abruptly reduced extension fitting in` the enlarged upper end of said opening, a shoulder being formed on said shell ,and resting on the first mentioned shoulder, and a runner tube fitting within said extension and having a slot .therein opposite said extension, said extension `having aninternal lug engagingoin saidslot, said opening having a shoulder at the lower end of the enlarged portion and against which the lower ends' of the extension and runner tube rest.

11. In a mechanical pencil, a barrel having a tip at its lower end provided with an axial opening extending therethrough', said opening having an enlarged cylindrical upper end ofless diameter than the lower internal diameter of the barrel, said tip forming an annularr shoulder within the barrel, an inner shell tting in said barrel and provided at its lower end with an abruptly reduced extension fitting in the enlarged upper end of said opening, a shoulder being formed on said shell and resting on the rst 25 eter than the lower internal diameter of the barrel, said tip forming an annularl shoulder within the barrel, an inner shell vfitting in said barrel and provided at its lower end with an abruptly reduced extension iitting in the enlarged upper end of said opening, a shoulder being formed on said shell and resting on the rst mentioned shoulder, a runner tube tting within said extension and having a slot therein opposite said extension, said extension having an internal lug engaging in said fslot, said opening having a shoulder at the lower end of the enlarged portion and against which the lower ends of the extension and runnertube rest, and an actuating tube revolubly mounted on said runner tube and resting at its lower end on the shoulder of said inner shell.

13. In a mechanical pencil, a barrel having a tip at its lower end provided with an axial opening extending therethrough, said opening having an enlarged cylindrical upper end of less diameter than the lower internal diameter of the barrel so as to form an annularshoulder within the barrel, an inner shell tting in said barrel and provided at its lower end with an abruptly reduced extension member fitting inthe enlarged upper end of saidr opening, a shoulder being formed on said shell and resting on the rst mentioned shoulder, and a runner tube member fitting within said extension member, one of said members being provided with a slot and the other f of said members with an internal lug engaging in ing extending therethrough, said openinghaving an enlarged cylindrical upper end of less diameter than the lower internal diameter of Athe barrel so as to form an annular shoulder 'within the barrel, an 'innersh'ell member fitting in'said :barrel and provided atits lower end with an abruptly reduced extension member fitting in the enlarged upper end of said opening, a shoulder -being formed on said shell member and resting yon the rst mentioned Vshoulder and means to largedfabove to form a socket, .ani'nner shell member tted within said socket and closely conforming in size and shape to the interior of the barrel and being adapted to act as a reinforcing Vmember therefor, a runner tube member tted Within saidinner shell member, and means to immovably attach the runner tube member to ythe inner shell member ycomprising a slot in one member and a lug in the other member cooperating with each other.

DAVID KAHN. 

